FA PREMIER ACADEMY LEAGUE SOUTH
Calmont Road, Bromley
SATURDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER, 2007
MILLWALL U-18S 0 (0) SPURS U-18S 2 (0)

Scorers:-
Hutton, 48
Parrett, 60

Referee:- Mr. T. Robinson

Millwall team details not known (Number 7 & 11 were booked)

Spurs (4-4-1-1):- Lee Butcher; Hutchins (sub Cox, 67), Callum Butcher, Mtandari, Berchiche; Fraser-Allen (sub Parrett, 46), Kasim (Capt.), Livermore, Townsend; Hutton; Obika

Subs not used:- Dalton; Asajile; Olsen

Booked:- Livermore, Parrett

This match was by ticket only as Millwall wanted to keep out the undesirables( who probably slipped in the back way). There was no team-sheet so I cannot supply the home team. The morning started off with a warm sun shining on the crowd of around seventy who were able to get in.

Spurs lined up with Mtandari and Butcher at the back with Hutchins moving to right back and Berchiche on the left. Livermore and Kasim took up their regular positions in the centre of midfield with Fraser-Allen on the right and Townsend on the left. In front of them was Hutton in the hole behind Obika.

Millwall kicked off and quickly won a corner which led to a header clipping the post. The game soon became a typical physical game from the home side with most of the play in the middle third as both sides battled for control of the ball. The only chance of note in the opening half hour was a shot over the bar by the home side when the centre forward broke clear.

Livermore was booked for a late tackle to stop another break which led to them hitting the far post from the free kick before the ball was cleared. Spurs now began to take charge as Butcher struck a shot just wide from 30 yards, which was swiftly followed by Fraser-Allen going close. After Butcher headed a free kick over the bar Livermore also hit his effort over. In stoppage time a Hutton shot hit the far post before rebounding off the keeper for a corner.

Fraser-Allen was replaced by Parrett at the start of the second half with Spurs continuing where they left off at the end of the first half. Obika was put through but his shot hit the post and when Millwall tried to clear the ball Obika blocked and the ball rebounded to Hutton on his left, who had time to slot it home.

Obika put another effort wide and Berchiche hit one over from long range. The ball was worked down the left before Obika squared the ball across to the unmarked Parrett to score at the far post.

The game got a little scrappy, as little feuds began to surface on the wings with the ref having to lecture a number of players and dish out a few cards. Hutchins was replaced by Cox after the ref had spoken to him again. Obika forced the keeper into a save and the keeper had to come to the rescue again after Parrett had played in Livermore. Parrett then blotted his copybook by stamping on the full back's foot.

Kasim hit an effort wide before Millwall came back into the game in the last quarter heading over from a free kick and hitting the bar. The last chance fell to the visitors when following a corner Obika had his effort cleared off the line.

Millwall always give us a hard game physically to compensate for their lack of skilful players. Their right winger was the main threat but was replaced in the second half when he got into a running battle with Berchiche on the right as tempers got heated. Kasim and Livermore are forming a good partnership in the centre of the midfield and using three pacy players in support of a lone striker is working well. The development of Obika into a striker is paying off and he is keeping Olsen on the bench.

Next Saturday will be the first of our group B matches when we will be away to high flying Aston Villa which is likely to be a noon kick-off. With no first team game on, I should be there.

Ray

Follow @spursodyssey